Vehicle actuated gravity closed gate



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,9 r rakNf Ys May 28, 1957 H. E. WILLIAMS VEHICLE ACTUATED GRAVITYCLOSED GATE Filed Dec. 50, 1953 `3 Sheets- Sheet l u www m.

May 28, 1957 H. E. WILLIAMS 2,793,450

VEHICLE ACTUATED GRAVITY cLosED GATE:

IN V EN TOR.

HERBERT E. WML/,9ms

May 28, 1957 H, El W|| |AMS 2,793,450

VEHICLE ACTUATED GRAVITY CLOSED GATE Filed nec. zo, 1953 s sheets-sneers 1N VEN TOR.

HERBRT E. WIL L /19/75 VEHICLE ACTUATED GRAVITY CLOSED GATE Herbert E.Williams, Birmingham, Ala.

Application December 36, 1953, Serial'No. 401,147

12 Claims. (Cl. .S9- 31) This invention relates to a gate and moreparticularly to one adapted to be opened by pushing against it with thefront of a vehicle and which returns by gravity from open position toclosed position.

An object of my invention is to provide a gate of the characterdesignated embodying improved means for delaying the closing actionthereof, thus preventing damage to a vehicle as it passes therethrough,which delaying means may also be employed for holding the gate in openposition.

A further object of my invention is to provide a gate of 'the characterdesignated which shall include improved means automatically latching thegate when it has moved to closed position and holding the same in thisposition until it is pushed open or the latch means is released.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a gate of thecharacter designated which is simple of construction, economical ofmanufacture and one which operates in both directions.

Briefly, my invention comprises a gate with a hinge member having anopening therethrough for receiving a vertical bar or tubular membermounted at one end of the gate. Projecting outwardly ofand partiallyencircling the hinge member is an arcuate, downwardly sloping, trackway.Mounted for rotation on the gate frame in position to engage thetrackway is a roller which moves toward the upper end of the trackwaywhen the gate is swung open and then moves by gravity toward the lowerend thereof to close the gate.` Means is provided at each side of thetrackway for engaging a portion of the gate as it commences its downwardswing and temporarily holding it in open position, thus retardingdownward movement of the roller and causing the gate to be heldmomentarily in` opened position..

The gate is held in closed position by. means of a latch member havinglatch pin keepers mounted for pivotal movement at opposite sidesthereof. To retain the latch pin intermediate the la'tch pin keepers asthe gate moves to closed position, stop means is provided therebetween.

Apparatus embodying features of my invention .is shown in theaccompanying drawings forming a part of this application in which:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of the gate;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged front elevational view showing my improved meansfor delaying the closing action of the gate;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 2 anddrawn to a smaller scale;

Fig. 4 is a plan view ofthe apparatus shown in Fig.Y 3;

Fig. 5 is anr enlarged perspective view showing my improved latchingmeans;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged elevational view, partly broken away and insection, showing a modiiied form of my invention; and,

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line VII-VII of Fig. 6.

Referring now to the drawings for a better understanding of my inventionI show a gate comprising a swing nited States Patent FSic ing frame 10having vertical rods or tubular members 11 and 11a atopposite endsthereof and lower and upper horizontal tubular members 12 and 12arespectively. The swinging frame 10 is pivotally connected to a post 13at the lower end thereof by a hinge member indicated generally at 14.The upper end ofthe swinging frame 10 is pivotally connected to the post13 by means of a hinge member 16. The hinge members 14 and 16 areprovided with openings 17 and 18 for receiving the vertical member 11with a sliding fit and are connected to the post 13 by any suitablemeans, such as bolts 19. While I have shown the post 13 square, asviewed in cross section, it will be apparent that it may be round or ofanyrother shape.

Mounted on or formed integrally with the hinge member 14 and partiallyencircling the same is a downwardly sloping arcuate trackway or cam 21.Hook members 22 and 23 are mounted for pivotal movement on pivot pins 24and 26 adjacent the upper portions of the trackway 21. Each of lthe hookmembers 22 and 23 is provided with an upwardly extending projection 27,an enlarged portion' 28 and a downwardly projecting hook proper Z9, theoperation of which will be described more in detail hereinafter.

Secured to the swinging frame 10 by any suitable means such as bywelding at 31 are a pair of vertical members 32 and 33. Secured to thevertical members 32 and 33 is a horizontal shaft 34. Mounted for rota-'tion on the shaft 34 in position to engage the arcuate trackway 21 is aroller 36.

As shown in Fig. 2, the roller 36 moves toward the upper end of thetracltway when the frame 11i is swung to open position. The gate is thusraised with respect to `the hinge members 14 and 16 thereby permittingit to move by gravity toward closed position as the roller 36 movestoward the lower portion of the trackway 21.

ln order to hold the gate open a sufficient length of time for a vehicleto pass through, I provide means retarding the closingvaction of thegate, now to be described. As 'the gate is moved toward open position,as shown in Fig.,2, the roller 36 moves toward the upper portion of thetrackway 21 and the shaft 34 rides over the upwardly extendingprojection27 of the adjacent hook member 22 or 23, as the case may be.After the gate is moved to fully open position, the roller 36 moves bygravity down the sloping surface of the trackway 21. The shaft 34 thenre-engages the projection 27 and rotates the hook member 22 or 23, asthe case may be, to position the downwardly projecting hook member 29into engagement with the lower horizontal member 12 of the swingingframe 10. As the member 12 is engaged by the hook member, the momentumof the gate moves the hookl member upwardly thus causing the saine toengage the shaft 34 and lift the entire gate. By causing the gate tobelifted as it is engaged by the hook member there is nosudden stoppingof the gate at the point of contact with the hook member. This animportant feature of my invention for the reason that it prevents damageto the gate by excessive bending. After the gate has been raised by thehook member, it moves downwardly and rearwardly in an arc about thepivot point of the hook member. This movement of the gate together withthe added thrust producedl by the resilient action of the gate causesthe same to'warp lor swing a short distance toward open position, but`not( enough to cause the shaft 34 to pass overV the projection 27. Thegate is thereby disengaged from the Vhook member. The enlarged portions28 of the hook members balance them about the pivot pins 24 and 26 sothat they assume the position shown in Fig. 3 when the hook member 29disengages the member 12. The hook member is thus positioned above themember 12 whereby the gate can continue its movement toward closedposition.

The gate may be held in open position by holding back on the gate sothat the member 12 comes gently into contact with the hook member, thuspreventing upward movement of the hook memberand the gate. The gate maythen be released from the hook member by moving the gate a shortdistance toward open position and then releasing the same.

Referring now to Fig. 5 of the drawings, I show my improved latch memberwhich is employed to lock the gate automatically when it is moved toclosed position. The latch member comprises a bracket 37 having anoutwardly projecting horizontal member 38 along the lower edge thereof.The bracket 37 is secured to a post 39 by any suitable means such asbolts 41. The outer ends of the horizontal member 38 are turneddownwardly as at 42 and 43. Projecting outwardly from the verticalmember 11a in position to engage the upper surface of the horizontalmember 38 in a latch pin 44. Mounted for pivotal movement .at each sideof the latch member 37 as at 46 and 47 are latch pin keepers 48 and 49.Each of the latch. pin keepers 48 and 49 comprises a horizontal portion5l and a downwardly and inwardly extending portion 52. The portion 52 isheavier than the portion 51, thus maintaining the keepers in-theposition shown in Fig. 5 with the lower end of the portion 52 in contactwith the upper surface of the horizontal member 38.

Mounted on the latch member 37, intermediate the latch pin keepers 4t;and 49 is a bracket 53 having a curved under surface 54. Positionedbeneath the bracket 53 adjacent the center of the horizontal member 38is an inverted V-shaped ridge 56 which extends laterally of thehorizontal member 38. The ridge member 56 is employed to deflect thelatch pin 44 upwardly as the gate is moved toward closed position thuscausing the same to engage the curved under surface 54 of the bracket 53and come to rest intermediate the latch pin keepers 48 and 49. Byproviding a curved under surface 54, the latch pin is ldeflecteddownwardly, thus preventing the latch pin from passing over the adjacentlatch pin keeper.

Suitable horizontal members 57 and 58 are positioned at opposite sidesof the gate frame at an elevation to engage the bumper element of avehicle. Resilient disc members 67 are provided on the tubular member11a in position to engage the sides of a vehicle in the event it shouldstop before clearing the gate. The disc members 67 may also contact thesides of long slow moving trailers as they pass through the gate, thuspreventing damage to the gate or the trailer.

From the foregoing description the operation of my improved gate will bereadily understood. The frame 19 is moved toward open positionresponsive to engagement by a vehicle, thus causing the swinging endthereof to move upwardly over the adjacent latch pin keeper 48 or 49, asthe case may be, and the roller 36 moves toward the upper portion of thetrackway 21. As the frame 1t) approaches the upper end of its swing, theshaft 34 passes over the upwardly sloping surface 27 of the hook member22 or 23, as the case may be. The frame 10 stops momentarily at theupper end of its swing and then starts its downward movement by gravity.The shaft 34 reengages the projection 27 and rotates the hook memberdownward to the position shown in Fig. 2 thus causing the hook member 29to engage the lower horizontal member 12 of the frame and thereby delaythe closing action of the gate as described above. As the member 12 isreleased from the hook member 29, the roller 36 rolls down the trackway21 and the frame 10 swings toward closed position. As the gate is closedthe latch pin 44 passes beneath the adjacent latch pin keeper 48 or 49,as the case may be, and engages the ridge 56 where it is deflectedupwardly against the curved under surface 54 of the bracket 53, whichprevents therpin 44 from riding over the other latch pin keeper.

My improved latch member may be operated by one on foot by merelypressing down on the outer end of the horizontal portions 51 of a latchpin keeper, thus raising the lower end of the portion 52 and permittingthe latch pin 44 to move therebeneath as the gate is opened. Also, thelatch member may be easily operated by one on horseback by pressingdownwardly on the outer end of the latch pin keeper with the toe andthen pulling the gate Open.

Referring now to Figs. 6 and 7 of the drawings, I show a modified formof hook member 59 having an enlarged portion` 61 similar to the enlargedportions 28 of the hook members 22 and 23 and a hook proper 62. Asuitable opening 63 is provided in the hook member 59 for mounting thesarne upon the pin 24 alongside the downwardly inclined trackway 21.

A threaded opening 64 is provided in the upper portion of the hookmember 59 of a size to receive a resilient member, such as a spring 66,with a threaded t. The spring member 66 projects .above the hook memberso as to engage the shaft 34 as the gate commences its downward movementthereby forcing the hook proper 62 downward into engagement with themember 12. By providing a resilient member instead of the upwardlyextending projection 27, greater tolerance is permitted in theconstruction thereof. That is, the spring member does not have to beexact in its dimensions or position on its hook member. Also, byproviding a threaded opening for receiving the spring member 66, theheight of the spring member may be readily adjusted.

To prevent `damage to the gate as it is swung open, I mount a resilientstop member 68 on the hinge member 14 intermediate the upper portions ofthe arcuate trackway 21. The resilient member 68 is secured to the hingemember 14 by any suitable means and is provided with outwardly extendingleaf springs 69 and 71 which overlie the upper portions of the trackwayin position to engage the roller 36 as it moves upwardly, therebypreventing an abrupt stopping of the roller.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I have devised an improved gatewhich automatically closes itself after it has been forced open and onewhich automatically locks itself when the gate is returned to closedposition. By providing means for delaying the closing action of thegate, a vehicle has ample time to pass therethrough without coming incontact with the gate as it is returned to closed position. Also byproviding the ridge member 56 which deflects the latch pin 44 upwardlyinto engagement with the curved under surface of the bracket 53, thegate is held in closed position without the liability of the pin passingover the latch pin keeper during the closing movement thereof.

While I have shown my invention in but two forms, it will be obvious tothose skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptibleof various other changes and modifications without departing from thespirit thereof, and I desire, therefore, that only such limitationsshall be placed thereupon as are specifically set forth in the appendedclaims.

What I claim is:

l. A gate comprising a hinge member, a swinging frame connected to saidhinge member and adapted for vertical movement relative thereto, adownwardly sloping arcuate trackway partially encircling said hingemember, a shaft mounted on said frame adjacent said hinge member, aroller mounted for rotation on said shaft in position to engage saidtrackway and move thereon toward the upper portion thereof when the gateis swung open and then move by gravity toward the lower portion thereofto close said gate, and means mounted at the sides of said trackway inposition to engage said swinging frame as it commences its downwardswing thereby delaying closing movement of the gate.

2. A gate comprising a swinging frame having la vertical member lat oneend thereof, a hinge member having an opening therethrough for receivingsaid vertical mem- -ber with a sliding lit, a downwardly sloping arcuatetrackway partially encircling said hinge member, -a horizontal shaftmounted on said frame adjacent said vertical member, a roller mountedfor rotation on said shaft in position to engage said trackway and movetoward the upper portion thereof when the gate is swung open and thenmove by gravity toward the lower portion thereof to close said gate, andhook members mounted for pivotal movement at the -sides of said trackwayin position to engage the swinging frame as it commences its downwardswing whereby the gate is held momentarily in open position.

3. A gate comprising a swinging frame having a vertical member at oneend thereof, a hinge member having an opening therethrough for receivingsaid vertical member with a sliding fit, a downwardly sloping arcuatetrackway partially encircling said hinge member, a horizontal shaftmounted on said frame adjacent said vertical member, a roller mountedfor rotation on said shaft in position to engage said trackway and movetoward the upper portion thereof when the gate is forced open and thenmoved by gravity toward the lower portion thereof to close said gate,hook members mounted for pivotal movement at the sides of said trackway,and an upwardly extending projection on each hook member disposed to beengaged by said shaft as the gate commences its downward swing wherebythe hook member is rotated about its pivot point into engagement withsaid swinging frame.

4. A gate `as defined in claim 3 in which the upwardly extendingprojection is in the form of a resilient member.

5. A gate comprising a swinging frame having a vertical member at oneend thereof and at least one horizontal tubular member, a supportinghinge member having an opening therethrough for 'receiving said verticalmember with a sliding t, a downwardly sloping arcuate trackway partiallyencircling said hinge member, a horizontal shaft mounted 4on said frameadjacent said vertical member, a roller mounted `for yrotation on saidshaft in position t-o engage said trackway and move toward the upperportion thereof when the gate is swung open and then moved by gravitytoward the lower portion thereof to close said gate, hook membersmounted for pivotal movement at the sides of said trackway, upwardly eX-tending projections on said hook members disposed to be engaged by saidshaft as the gate commences its downward swing whereby said hook member-i's moved int-o engagement with said horizontal tubular member.

6. A gate comprising a hinge member, a swinging frame connected to saidhinge member and adapted for vertical movement relative thereto, adownwardly sloping arcuate trackway partially encircling said hingemember, a horizontal shaft mounted on said frame adjacent said hingemember, a roller mounted for rotation on said shaft in position toengage said trackway and move toward the upper portion thereof when thegate is swung open and then move downwardly by gravity toward the lowerportion thereof to close said gate, hook members mounted for pivotalmovement at the sides of said trackway and having hook portions balancedto assume a position out of contact with said swinging frame, anupwardly extend- 6 ing projection on each hook member in position to beengaged by a portion of said swinging frame as it commences its downwardswing whereby the hook portion of the hook member is moved intoengagement with said swinging frame.

7. A gate as defined in claim 6 in which the swinging frame is raised bythe hook member as the hook portion engages the swinging frame wherebythe swinging frame then swings downwardly and toward open position.

8. A gate as defined in claim 6 in which the upwardly extendingprojection is in the form of a resilient spring.

9. A gate as defined in claim 8 in which a threaded opening is providedin the hook member for receiving the spring with a threaded ft.

10. Means for holding a gate in open position comprising a hinge, meansconnecting the hinge to the gate whereby the gate is adapted forvertical movement relative to said hinge, a downwardly sloping arcuatetrackway partially encircling said hinge member, a roller mounted forrotation on said gate in position to engage said trackway and movetoward the upper portion thereof when the gate is swung open and thenmove downwardly by gravity toward the lower portion thereof to closesaid gate, hook members mounted for pivotal movement at the sides ofsaid trackway and having hook portions balanced to assume a position outof contact with said gate, and an upwardly extending projection on eachhook member positioned to engage a portion of said gate as it commencesits downward swing whereby the hook portion of the hook member is movedinto engagement with said gate, said projection being constructed 4andarranged whereby when the gate is brought gently into contact with thehook member the gate is held in open position.

11. A gate comprising a swinging frame having a vertical member at oneend thereof, a hinge member having an opening therethrough for receivingsaid vertical member with a sliding fit, a downwardly sloping arcuatetrackway partially encircling said hinge member, a roller mounted forrotation on said frame in position to engage said trackway and movetoward the upper portion thereof when the gate is swung open and thenmove by gravity toward the lower portion thereof to close said gate,hook members mounted for pivotal movement at the sides of Said trackwayengaging the swinging frame as it commences its downward swing wherebythe gate is held momentarily in open position, and resilient stopmembers extending over the upper ends of said trackway in position toengage said roller whereby there is no abrupt stoppage of the gate.

12. A gate as defined in claim 1l in which the resilient stop membersare in the form of leaf springs.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 987,574Heggen et al Mar. 2l, 1911 1,648,691 Matthews Nov. 9, 1927 2,585,481Martin Feb. 12, 1952 2,599,211 Tilbury June 3, 1952 2,628,441 EnghauserFeb. 17, 1953 2,691,836 David Oct. 19, 1954 2,693,043 Leake Nov. 2, 19542,693,653 Dean Nov. 9, 1954

